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Kappalotiya Tamizhan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Paarukkulle Nalla

From Kappalotiya Tamizhan · 1961

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Kappalotiya Tamizhan
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
4 Mar 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paarukullae nalla naadu
Paarukullae nalla naadu
Engal bharatha naadu indha naadu
Paarukullae nalla naadu
Theerathilae padai veerathilae
Nenjil eerathilae ubagarathilae
Theerathilae padai veerathilae
Nenjil eerathilae ubagarathilae
Saarathilae migha saathirangandu
Saarathilae migha saathirangandu
Tharuvadhilae uyar naadu
Paarukullae nalla naadu
Nanmaiyilae udal vanmayilae
Selva panmayilae marathanmayilae
Nanmaiyilae udal vanmayilae
Selva panmayilae marathanmayilae
Ponmayil ottridum maadhar tham karppil
Ponmayil ottridum maadhar tham karppil
Pugazhinilae uyar naadu
Engal bharatha naadu indha naadu
Paarukullae nalla naadu
Vanmayilae ulathinmayilae
Manathanmayilaemadhi nunmayilae
Vanmayilae ulathinmayilae
Manathanmayilaemadhi nunmayilae
Unmayilae thavaraadha pulavargal
Unmayilae thavaraadha pulavargal
Unarvinilae uyar naadu
Bharatha naadu indha naadu
Paarukullae nalla naadu
Indha naadu engal naadu
The finest land in all the world,
The finest land in all the world,
This country is our land of Bharath,
The finest land in all the world!
In courage, in the bravery of its armies,
In kindness of heart, in generous deeds,
In courage, in the bravery of its armies,
In kindness of heart, in generous deeds,
In finding the core truth of the scriptures,
In finding the core truth of the scriptures,
And giving it to the world—a great nation!
The finest land in all the world,
In goodness, in strength of body,
In abundance of wealth, in warrior spirit,
In goodness, in strength of body,
In abundance of wealth, in warrior spirit,
In the virtue of its women, graceful like golden peacocks,
In the virtue of its women, graceful like golden peacocks,
And in glorious renown—a great nation!
This country is our land of Bharath,
The finest land in all the world!
In firmness, in steadfastness of spirit,
In noble character, in sharp intellect,
In firmness, in steadfastness of spirit,
In noble character, in sharp intellect,
In poets who never stray from truth,
In poets who never stray from truth,
And in depth of feeling—a great nation!
This land is the land of Bharath,
The finest land in all the world,
This country is our country...
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic patriotic song composed by Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyaar celebrates the grandeur, culture, and virtues of India (Bharat). Bharathiyaar lists various attributes that make Bharat the greatest nation in the world: military courage, deep compassion, philanthropic giving, rich philosophical literature, physical health, material prosperity, virtuous citizens, brilliant intellect, and truthful poets.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

“Theerathilae padai veerathilae / Saarathilae migha saathirangandu”

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Theerathilae' and 'Saarathilae', or 'Nanmaiyilae' and 'Ponmayil'.

Iyaibu (End rhyme)

“Vanmayilae ulathinmayilae / Manathanmayilaemadhi nunmayilae”

Repetition of ending suffixes '-ilae' and '-mayilae' across multiple lines creating rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor / Simile (Uvamai)

“Ponmayil ottridum maadhar tham karppil”

Comparing the grace and dignity of Indian women to radiant golden peacocks ('Ponmayil').

Anaphora / Repetition

“Paarukullae nalla naadu”

The repeated refrain 'Paarukullae nalla naadu' reinforces national pride throughout the poem.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyaar during the Indian independence movement, this song was adapted for the 1961 historical film 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan' directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film chronicles the life of freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, played by Sivaji Ganesan. Set to music by G. Ramanathan and sung powerfully by Seerkazhi Govindarajan, the song remains one of the most celebrated patriotic anthems in Tamil literature and cinema.

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